Vacinne Injury

[Rexi0105]

Hi.  I received the flu vaccine in Jan 2013 and after receiving the flu shot I started experiencing pain when lift my arm above my head, change my shirt, and the pain wakes me up at night.  

I had an MRI done in April 2013 and here are the results:

RIGHT SHOULDER TERES MINOR INFLAMMATORY CHANGES WITH ASSOCIATED BONE MARROW
EDEMA

I had no prior issue before receiving the flu shot and believe the shot was administered incorrectly causing my pain.

I received the flu shot at a local pharmacy and it was administered thru the consultation window.

Your thoughts?

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hello,

It would be difficult to make a definitive statement about the causal relationship between the vaccine and the bone marrow edema.

Please follow-up with additional questions that you may have.

•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

[Rexi0105]

I have a follow up MRI on 8/7/13.  I had no prior issues before the flu shot and the symptoms started after receiving.    Everyone says they have never heard of a flu shot causing these issues.  When I saw your post I was glad that someone finally understood  :)  

Do you think this is also what is causing the Edema?

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hello,

If a vaccination is given in the upper third of the deltoid, it is theoretically possible that the injection needle and injectate could reach the subdeltoid bursa (http://www.aidmybursa.com/_img/shoulder-subacromial-bursa.jpg) and possibly result in a bursitis and induce an inflammatory response. It is possible that this is the explanation of your symptoms.

Your healthcare provider could perform a physical examination and provide recommendations.

What has your healthcare provider told you about what he or she thinks is your diagnosis?

There is an article that reports two cases and the article was published in the journal, Vaccine, in 2007.

Vaccine. 2007 Jan 8;25(4):585-7. Epub 2006 Sep 8.
Vaccination-related shoulder dysfunction.
Bodor M, Montalvo E.

Queen of the Valley Hospital, Napa, CA 94558, USA.
Abstract
We present two cases of shoulder pain and weakness following influenza and pneumococcal vaccine injections provided high into the deltoid muscle. Based on ultrasound measurements, we hypothesize that vaccine injected into the subdeltoid bursa caused a periarticular inflammatory response, subacromial bursitis, bicipital tendonitis and adhesive capsulitis. Resolution of symptoms followed corticosteroid injections to the subacromial space, bicipital tendon sheath and glenohumeral joint, followed by physical therapy. We conclude that the upper third of the deltoid muscle should not be used for vaccine injections, and the diagnosis of vaccination-related shoulder dysfunction should be considered in patients presenting with shoulder pain following a vaccination.

I hope that this information is helpful to you.

•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.